After a 10-Year Wait, I’m Very Worried About One of 2026’s Most Hyped Games

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It’s natural to get really excited about a video game when you wait a long time for it, but that excitement can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations. While some games are announced way too early, often delays happen because developers change plans, cut features, run into problems, or try to avoid overworking their team – all common issues in game development. A long wait can make people assume a game will be amazing, as if the development time directly equals quality. However, a game might only have been actively worked on for a much shorter period than the total time since its announcement.

I’m highlighting this important point because, when I discuss how good the upcoming game Witchbrook might be, I want to remember that its 10 years of development don’t necessarily reflect its current condition. However, as more details have emerged, I’ve become increasingly worried that the game won’t live up to the original promises – or even current expectations – and could end up being a real letdown.

I’m Doubtful That Witchbrook Will Be The Game It Is Promising To Be

I’ve been following Witchbrook for a long time – it was originally announced as Spellbound ten years ago! For anyone new to the project, or who discovered it when it was re-announced in 2025, Witchbrook is a magical school simulation game by Chucklefish. When it was first revealed, all we had were a few screenshots and the exciting promise of a game where you’d attend classes, make friends, find romance, and experience multiple years at a magical school.

Currently, Witchbrook is being marketed as a game similar to Hogwarts Legacy and Bully, aiming to attract fans of those titles. However, looking closely at what the developers have shared – through Discord posts, blogs, and gameplay footage – it seems the game isn’t developing as originally envisioned a decade ago. While it will include some school simulation aspects, those elements appear to be minimized and will mostly just provide a backdrop for the core gameplay, which focuses on gathering resources and completing deliveries.

The most interesting parts of Witchbrook – like classes and exams – seem to be directly connected to completing tasks for the townspeople, mainly making and delivering potions and remedies. You earn points by gathering ingredients and following recipes, and your exam results depend on how many points you’ve collected by the end of the term. Honestly, that sounds a little underwhelming and doesn’t quite match what many people imagined Witchbrook would be. The gameplay now feels more similar to games like Potion Permit or Tales of the Shire, instead of the beautiful, pixel-art *Harry Potterinspired experience we’ve been hoping for over the last ten years.

Witchbrook’s Gameplay Loop May Be Boring

Chucklefish was smart to keep the exact gameplay of Witchbrook under wraps and didn’t show much of it before announcing it again in 2025. While it doesn’t seem like the game was always meant to be a delivery simulator based on what we’ve seen, it’s still possible. More likely, though, is that the game has been significantly reworked during development. It’s unusual to change a game’s core idea after years of work, but it happens – often when the original plan becomes too complex, unrealistic for the budget, or just isn’t enjoyable.

While the game’s redesign is okay, it’s a little disheartening. Considering Witchbrook was announced almost a decade ago, development should be quite far along, unless it only recently began in the last couple of years. The original 2025 release date suggested the developers were confident in the game’s progress. However, the game has now been delayed to a vague 2026 timeframe. Developers claim it’s “definitely coming out,” but admit predicting a launch date is difficult. This is worrying, especially considering Chucklefish has quietly removed some previously promised features, like combat.

It’s difficult to get a clear picture of what Witchbrook will actually be like, given the very brief gameplay snippets, limited information from the developers, and the lack of explanation about how the game will actually play. This is especially frustrating considering it was announced a decade ago. Unlike the situation with The Elder Scrolls, where the developers are openly stating the game isn’t ready and are intentionally keeping details under wraps, Witchbrook was featured in a Nintendo Direct, had a planned release date, and the developers were sharing updates. We thought it was almost finished, so what happened to it?

Many fans, including myself, are starting to worry about the lack of updates on the game. We suspect the delays are either because development hasn’t progressed much, or because the current gameplay isn’t fun or doesn’t match what was originally promised – and they’re waiting to reveal that until the last possible moment. The studio hasn’t released any public announcements, blog posts, or gameplay footage, which makes these concerns even stronger. At this point, we’re left wondering if the game will ever actually come out, and if it does, whether it will live up to expectations, or simply be cancelled.

Witchbrook Is In A Difficult Position

Let me be clear: I’m not asking Chucklefish to hurry and release the game just for my sake, and I don’t feel entitled to anything. I actually understand the tough spot they’re in. I really admire that they’ve stuck to their policy of avoiding overwork, which is something the whole industry should do more of. However, that approach naturally means development takes time. Plus, they’re facing high expectations from a passionate fanbase eager for a game like this.

Given how anxious fans are, you’d think Chucklefish and Robotality would share more about the game if it were close to being finished, or at least playable enough to show off. They haven’t released much new information or gameplay, which is fueling concerns about the project. A look at the Witchbrook subreddit reveals a lot of speculation about delays, fears the game might be cancelled, and disappointment over removed or simplified features.

Honestly, what’s really bothering me is that Chucklefish isn’t sharing much about the game with us fans. I get that they’re a smaller team – only 18 people – and making a game is hard, especially while also handling all the publicity. It’s totally possible they’re just focused on making the best game they can. But considering how well-known they are in the indie world, and how hyped Witchbrook is – seriously, it got a spot in a Nintendo Direct and is super popular on Steam – I really think they could do a better job of showing us what they’ve been working on. I’m eager to see more!

After waiting for ten years, my enthusiasm for Witchbrook is disappearing, and I just want to know what the game will actually be like. I wonder if Chucklefish is hesitant to show gameplay because it might be very different from what was originally promised in Spellbound, potentially disappointing long-time fans. Alternatively, they could be quietly developing something amazing that will be a standout game in 2026. Only time will tell, but based on everything so far, I’m starting to worry that Witchbrook won’t live up to our initial expectations.

Wondering if Witchbrook will ever be released? Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-23 04:14